The Warm Homes Grants in Northern Ireland
The Warm Homes Grants scheme was launched in Northern Ireland on 1st July 2001. Under the scheme the Government will pay for insulation in your home up to a value of £850, or insulation and heating up to a value of £4300, providing you are eligible. The criteria for eligibility are set out under the section headed, ‘Am I eligible?’
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What are the Warm Homes Grants?
Warm Homes Grants are for homeowners or tenants of private landlords in Northern Ireland, and are intended to pay for home insulation or central heating improvements to make the home more energy efficient.
The scheme is administered by H&A Mechanical Services Ltd and Bryson Charitable Group and is funded by the Department for Social Development.
There are two types of grants available – ‘Warm Homes’, and ‘Warm Homes Plus’.
‘Warm Homes’ grants are available for eligible householders to finance a number of heating measures in the home including:
- Loft insulation
- Cavity wall insulation
- Draught proofing
- Reflective radiator panels
- Hot water tank jackets
- Fluorescent lamps
Warm Homes also carries out home visits in order to give advice regarding energy efficiency in the home.
‘Warm Homes Plus’ grants are available for householders over the age of 60 who are in receipt of specified benefits. In addition to the heating measures covered by the ‘Warm Homes’ grants, the ‘Warm Homes Plus’ grants cover:
- A new oil or gas central heating system for householders with no existing system
- Conversion to a new oil or gas central heating system for those with a LPG bottled gas, solid fuel central heating system or Economy 7
- Insulation only for those who already have a functional oil or natural gas central heating system
Am I eligible?
There are three categories of householders who qualify for Warm Homes Grants:
- Those with a child under 16 who receive one or more of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Housing Benefit
- Rate Rebate
- Child Tax Credit and NHS Tax Exemption Certificate
- One of the above plus a Maternity certificate (MAT B1) for expectant mothers
- Those under 60 who receive one or more of the following disability benefits:
- Disability Living Allowance
- Housing Benefit, Rate Rebate or Income Support, with Disability Premium
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit with Constant Attendance Allowance
- War Disablement Pension, with Constant Attendance Allowance or Mobility Supplement
- Working Tax Credit with Disability Premium, and NHS Tax Exemption Certificate
- Those aged 60 plus who receive one or more of the following benefits:
- Pension Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Rate Rebate
- Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Working Tax Credit with Disability Premium, and NHS Tax Exemption Certificate
- War Disablement Pension, with Constant Attendance Allowance or Mobility Supplement
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit with Constant Attendance Allowance
How do I apply?
If you have any queries, wish to find out more about the scheme, or wish to register for a grant, telephone Warm Homes on freephone: 0800 988 0559 or visit their website at www.warm-homes.com.
If your property requires more than the maximum grant, you will not have to contribute financially. In this instance, further measures will be funded from the Energy Efficiency Programme, which is managed by Northern Ireland Electricity.
